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Yesterday, the Space Shuttle Program concluded a two-day Flight Readiness Review meeting by announcing a launch date of July 13, 2005. The next major review of launch readiness will occur two days before launch (L-2) when the Mission Management Team meets to give the final authorization for launch.

At Launch Pad 39B, final preparations for the launch of Discovery are under way. Loading of hypergolic propellants continued and should be completed this weekend. This process includes loading the propellants monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide into the Orbiter Maneuvering System and Forward Reaction Control System.

The STS-114 flight crew visited the pad yesterday to perform an inspection for sharp edges in the orbiter. After the crew inspection was complete, a payload contamination walkdown was performed, closeout photos were taken and the payload bay doors were closed for flight.

All four Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) have been installed in the orbiter. The EMU spacesuits will be worn by the flight crew during the three spacewalks that are scheduled during the mission.

Technicians continue processing Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 for its mission to the International Space Station.

Orbiter modal testing was completed this week. This test involves using devices referred to as "shakers," which send vibrations throughout the Orbiter. Measuring instruments called accelerometers are positioned all over the vehicle to read the effects of the vibrations, in order to check the structural health of the vehicle.

Early Tuesday morning, the Mobile Launch Platform carrying the STS-121 External Tank (ET-120) and twin Solid Rocket Boosters was moved from High Bay 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to High Bay 3. The move was made to allow for modification work to take place in High Bay 1.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period which began in December 2003.

Previous Space Shuttle processing status reports are available on the Internet at: